Miserable
979 Words
“What are you talking about, Seth?” Edith asked, her voice laced with confusion.
“Both of you. You and the baby in your womb,” Seth replied solemnly.
It felt like being struck by lightning in broad daylight. Edith was certain she had misheard him. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, struggling to process the situation. When she opened them again, her expression was resolute.
“I think you must be mistaken. I’m not pregnant. So, tell me, are you trying to set me up again?” she demanded.
Seth shook his head, his gaze sincere as he met hers. He seemed different now, but Edith remained guarded. She refused to be deceived twice.
“I only found out today. The doctor just confirmed it. You’re pregnant, Edith. And you’re already nine months along.”
“That’s impossible,” she whispered, shaking her head. “The doctor must be wrong. How could this have happened?”
Before Seth could respond, Edith turned and stormed out of the infirmary, ignoring his calls for her to stop. She needed to escape, to get as far away as possible from what she had just heard.
Back in the classroom, she grabbed her backpack with force, oblivious to the startled looks from her classmates. She didn’t care. All she wanted was to get out of there.
Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten. She craved a steak from the school cafeteria but, conscious of her limited funds, opted instead for a roadside burger stand.
Checking her purse, she ensured she had enough money before making her way to the stall.
“One large BBQ beef burger, please,” she ordered, scanning the menu board.
The cashier barely glanced at her before tapping her order into the till.
“Eat here or takeaway, miss?” he asked.
“Takeaway,” she replied curtly.
“Any extras? A drink?”
“No, just the burger.”
“That’ll be two pounds.”
Edith handed over a five-pound note, waiting impatiently as the cashier processed the payment and handed back her change. She moved to a nearby bench to wait for her food, her gaze drifting to a sleek car pulling up in front of the stand.
A familiar figure emerged; his brown hair tousled in the breeze. Edith's breath hitched.
“Seth?”
He smirked, striding towards her purposefully. Without a word, he took her hand and pulled her towards his car.
“What are you doing, Seth?” she protested, trying to resist.
“Just get in,” he ordered firmly.
Not wanting to cause a scene, Edith relented.
“I’m still waiting for my burger,” she muttered.
“I’ll get it,” Seth said before disappearing back to the stand. Moments later, he returned with the bag, handing it to her as he fastened her seatbelt.
“I can do it myself,” she snapped.
Seth merely withdrew and started the car, his focus now on the road.
“Where are we going?” Edith asked, the tension thick between them.
“I’m taking you home.”
Her eyes narrowed. “How do you even know where I live?”
Seth remained calm under her accusatory stare. “I just do.”
Her irritation flared. “Explain. Now!”
With a sigh, Seth pulled the car over and turned to face her.
“I found out about a month ago,” he admitted. “I was curious. I followed you home one day.”
Edith’s anger intensified, but she forced herself to listen.
“That night,” he continued, “when we… when it happened… I was drunk. My friends and I were playing a game, and I lost. The loser had to do whatever the winner wanted. They made me drink, and I ended up in that room. But even though I was drunk, I was still conscious. I remember everything.”
Edith clenched her fists, her body taut with rage.
“The next morning, I wanted to find you, but my friends kept me from asking questions. Eventually, I let it go. But then, when I saw you running for committee chair, I recognised you. That’s when I started watching you. I’m sorry, Edith.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She felt like a fool.
“I want to take responsibility,” Seth pressed on. “You’re pregnant with my child. Dr Stanley confirmed it. From now on, I will take care of you both.”
“Why me?” she spat. “You’re such an arsehole, Seth!”
He flinched but remained calm, taking her hand in his. “I know I’ve been a terrible person. But I want to make things right.”
Edith yanked her hand away. “Make things right? Do you think that’s even possible? You ruined my life! How am I supposed to continue school now?”
“I’ll talk to my parents,” Seth promised. “I’ll find a way for you to stay in school.”
Edith scoffed bitterly. “I’m pathetic,” she whispered, covering her face with trembling hands.
“No, you’re not,” Seth said earnestly. “Please don’t say that. I will do everything I can for both of you.”
“With what?” she challenged. “Your damn arrogance?”
Guilt flashed across his face. “I regret everything I’ve done to you, Edith. I’m trying to make amends.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “And in the process, you’ve made me truly miserable. I was just a mistake to you…”
Her voice trembled as she unfastened her seatbelt and flung the door open. She didn’t care where they were; she just needed to escape. Without a backward glance, she ran, unaware that they were on a secluded forest road.
- Writer
